Sweet Treat

Tired of grainy-tasting baked goods? Look no further! Better Batter’s Chocolate Cake Mix is easy to make and produces a moist chocolate cake that would rival its gluten-containing counterparts any day. Our family recently enjoyed this cake for my daughter’s 20th birthday. For years, I was making “from-scratch” gluten-free chocolate cakes and while they were okay, the recipes were sometimes difficult to work with and I just knew there had to be something better out there. Better Batter—whose tag line is “Eat Freely, Give Freely”--produces a complete line of gluten-free items. Check them out at www.betterbatter.org. Their customer service department is exceptional. When the company felt that I’d waited too long for an out-of-stock item, they compensated by sending along a free mix. Personal replies seem to be the norm for this company.   In terms of frosting, if you’re feeling a bit creative, try my recipe for gluten-free vanilla buttercream icing below. If you’re pressed for time, skip ahead to my recommendations for gluten-free canned frostings.

Vanilla Buttercream Icing

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

3 TBS milk*

At least 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and milk on medium speed until blended. Add sugar a half-cup at a time and mix until smooth. If icing is still not “sugar-y” enough, add more confectioners’ sugar a ¼ cup at a time to your taste.

Frost your cake or cupcakes using a metal spreader (I like the ones from Pampered Chef.) If you’re frosting a chocolate cake, make sure you “dirty ice” the layers first so the cake doesn’t show through.

(This recipe can be doubled.)

For Chocolate Buttercream Icing, melt 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels (in microwave, 1-1/2 minutes on HIGH, in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval) and add to butter mixture. Continue with recipe as indicated.

*Since I am also lactose-intolerant I use LACTAID® milk and it does not affect the recipe.

Gluten-Free Canned Frostings

Hey, there’s no shame in using one of these at bake sale time (or any other time). My daughter would eat a whole can if I let her!

Betty Crocker’s ®website (www.bettycrocker.com) states, “All flavors of Betty Crocker Ready-to-Spread Frosting will be labeled ‘gluten free’ this fall.”

Duncan Hines’® website (www.duncanhines.com) states that their Classic Vanilla Frosting is “naturally gluten free.”  

Pillsbury’s® (www.pillsbury.com) representative, “Maria” told me by phone this morning that all frostings—including  Easy Frost™ No Fuss-Frosting (the one that looks like a can of mousse) are gluten-free except for their Coconut Pecan flavor.